Septic Bursitis

Septic Bursitis: ED Presentation, Evaluation, and Management

emDocs - June 25, 2020 - By Pritchard R, Bodeau H, Bonson P and Borloz M

Reviewed by: Koyfman A and Long B

"Pearls

• The diagnostic gold standard for septic bursitis is bursal fluid culture
• Negative bursal fluid culture does not exclude the diagnosis of septic bursitis, especially if due to a fastidious organism or when antibiotics precede culture
• A number of other signs are associated with septic bursitis (Table 1) and can be used to support the dx
• Bursal fluid aspiration should be performed prior to antibiotic use

Table 1